TYE RIVER CABIN IN SKYKOMISH, WASHINGTON BY Olson Kundig

Situated in a dense forest within the bend (and within earshot) of the nearby Tye River, this meditative retreat connects to the nature that surrounds it. As Tom Kundig describes it, \”Here, you are exposed to the wildness of where you are, to the wildness of this place.\”

The square base of the two-level structure is rendered in cast-in-place concrete, as is the large central fireplace that serves as the core and anchor for the cabin. Custom-designed, pivoting glass windows swing open to reveal the corners and sides of the space, blurring the line between inside and outside. Rusted mild steel siding wraps the exterior areas not given over to windows. Deep overhangs shelter the main living areas from the regular rain showers. Concrete patios extend the living space outdoors and follow the contours of the land toward the water.

The cabin is about being outdoors, not indoors. The two bedrooms and bathroom are just large enough to fulfill their functions. A geothermal heat pump moderates the temperature when needed. Interior furnishings are warm in tone, yet minimalist.

The wood used for construction—for rafters, flooring, window frames, and doors—was salvaged from an old warehouse slated for demolition. The varying tones of the wood reveal its history and use. Over time, the cabin will become more and more muted in appearance, blending in and eventually disappearing into the forest.